There is no single objective ranking of the best games of 2012. This curated shortlist uses two contemporary award records—the 2013 Game Developers Choice Awards, which explicitly honored the best games of 2012, and the 16th D.I.C.E. Awards, held in 2013—to identify notable winners and finalists, then sorts them by the kind of game they represent.
How to read this list
Journey is the award-backed overall pick: it won Game of the Year at both ceremonies. The other games offer strong alternatives by genre, supported by category wins or Game of the Year finalist status. Awards are useful evidence of industry recognition, not a verdict on what every player will enjoy. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences described its D.I.C.E. Game of the Year award as “The single game, without regard to system or delivery mechanism, voted by the membership of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences that best utilizes the chosen medium to entertain users.” (16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards)
The best games of 2012 by award recognition and genre
Journey — the overall award winner
Journey won Game of the Year at the 2013 Game Developers Choice Awards and the 16th D.I.C.E. Awards. D.I.C.E. also recognized it in art direction, sound design, original music, online gameplay, innovation, game direction, and casual game categories. That breadth of recognition makes it the strongest lead pick here, while still leaving room for personal preference.
Dishonored — a Game of the Year finalist
Dishonored was a Game of the Year finalist in the 2013 Game Developers Choice Awards, the ceremony whose archive identifies the honored games as the best of 2012. It is a useful alternative to Journey on an award shortlist, though the cited award record establishes finalist status rather than a detailed account of its mechanics.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
The Walking Dead — the narrative-adventure pick
Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead was a Game of the Year finalist at the Game Developers Choice Awards and won Adventure Game of the Year and Downloadable Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. Those category wins make it the clearest choice on this list for readers looking for an award-recognized adventure game.
Mass Effect 3 — the role-playing pick
Mass Effect 3 was a Game of the Year finalist at the Game Developers Choice Awards and won Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. Its recognition gives role-playing fans a genre-specific option alongside the overall winner.
Rank #2
- Level 14 unlocked and awesome since 2012! Cool 14th birthday gamer top for boys who love video games. Great outfit for a video game themed birthday party for a 14 years old boy, son or brother. Ideal gift for a gamer turning 14 and born in 2012.
- Celebrate his fourteenth birthday in style with this fun video gamer design. Level 14 completed, time to level up! A perfect 14th birthday gaming gift for boys and gamers who enjoy gamer gear. Great gaming fans choice for bday celebrations.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
XCOM: Enemy Unknown — the strategy pick
XCOM: Enemy Unknown was a Game of the Year finalist at the Game Developers Choice Awards and won Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. The category win makes it the shortlist’s strongest strategy-focused recommendation.
Borderlands 2 — the action pick
Borderlands 2 was a Game of the Year finalist at the Game Developers Choice Awards and won Action Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. It rounds out the list with a major award recognition for action games.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Why the award year matters
Award labels can refer to a ceremony year or to the games being honored. The Game Developers Choice Awards’ 2013 archive explicitly covers the best games of 2012; the 16th D.I.C.E. Awards likewise records 2012-era finalists and winners at its 2013 ceremony. BAFTA’s 2012 results are a different cycle: they name Portal 2 as Best Game and refer to Battlefield 3 as the public-voted GAME Award of 2011, so they should not be treated as a list of 2012 releases. (Game Developers Choice Awards archive; 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards; BAFTA Games Awards: 2012 results)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- looking for a funny 14th anniversary design for married couples? this retro gaming design is a perfect present for father, husband, boyfriend, wife, uncle, mom, friends, couple together since 2012 celebrating their 14 years together.
- Celebrate a 14 year with this retro vintage anniversary gaming design featuring “Level 14 Complete”, a funny gift idea for couple married in 2012, husband or wife who love video games and enjoy progressing together through years of love and marriage.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #4
- Features -
- Animal movement gives you clues to what it will do next
- Dynamic weather and natural hazards
- Reflex and Target Shooting galleries
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
